A three kilometre-long by four metre-wide channel has been constructed in the Berri evaporation basin, part of Katfish Reach to safeguard a nationally-endangered native fish species. There are only seven known populations of the small freshwater fish, Murray hardyhead known in the in the Murray Darling Basin, including in the Berri evaporation basin.

Katarapko was the main attraction at a recent family day in the Riverland, when a group of over 80 people took part in ‘A Day on the Kat.’ The aim of the event was to raise awareness about the Katfish Reach floodplain and funding secured for environmental flows and rehabilitation works for native fish.

At the recent 2014 Riverland Field Days, the Katfish Reach team took up the challenge to cook and serve carp that would taste really good. European carp is not commonly listed as the ‘catch of the day’ on menus in Riverland restaurants and hotels. At the suggestion that it could be served up for dinner, people are likely to turn up their noses as they imagine the slimy skin, bony flesh, unpleasant odour and muddy taste.